Syrian troops take control of town

Elite Syrian troops backed by helicopters and tanks have regained control of a town where police and soldiers joined forces with the protesters they were ordered to shoot – a decisive assault from a government prepared for an all-out battle to keep power.

Troops led by the president’s brother shelled Jisr al-Shughour as gunships hovered overhead, paving the way for scores of tanks and armoured personnel carriers to roll in from two directions. By early yesterday afternoon, the sounds of battle faded. The army was in control.